Guide bar for guide cards



Aug. 21, 1923.

F. E. KUNKEL.

GUIDE BAR FOR GUIDE CARDS Filed Nov. 24 1919 Patented Aug. 21, 1923.

Masai" FRED nl KUnKEL, or wismmma; nis'rnrcr or COLUMBIA.

Gem BAR For; urnn oanns.

Appli cation filed November 24; 1919. Serial No. 340,319;

letters, or other flat records, it is customary to use a plurality of partitionssuccessively labelled and arranged in a receptacle'such as a sorting tray orfiling drawer. The partitions should be sufficiently spaced, one fromanother, to provide room for the cards or other papers or material to be filed.

WVhere these partitions, or guide cards as they may be termed, are labelled, the dif-' ferent subdivisions into which they divide the tray vary in size according to relative values placed upon various letters of the alphabet, or a series of numbers, and other divisions used in filing. For instance, if the subdivision is alphabetical, it will be found when the sorting operation is completed, that certain alphabetical subdivisions contain more of the sorted articles than do others. It is, therefore, a requisite that provision be made in spacing the partitions to take into account the varying amounts of room 6% necessary in each subdivision. 7

As the sorting of such fiat articles is an operation, the success of which depends to a large extent upon speed and facility of operation, it is essential that means be provlded to hold the partitions in an upright position with the intervening spaces readily available for the reception of articles to be filed. In the same manner it is necessary that the partitions be held in a definite and upright position, slanting backwards, in rder that the eye of the operator may select the desired partition swiftly and without effort, dropping his papers or other articles to be filed behind the guide card or partition without having to finger or touch said, guide card or partition.

My invention consists in one or more bars which are placed within the sorting tray This bar serves and parallel to its sides.

the purpose of holding the partitions sub stantially vertical and slanting backwards at a predetermined distance from each other,

according to a relative table of values which may be compiled for the purpose.

Other objects of my invention will be evident from the following description and drawings, in which: V

. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sorting trayprovided with guide bars; V Figure 2 is a fragmental plan view of one of the guide bars; F gure 3 s elevation ofthe same; and

Figiire' is an endview; v

Thesorting trayor'filing' drawer, 7,-is open: at the top andis of suflicient size to accommodate a set of partitions on guide cards, 8. The partitions orguide cards have upwardly extending tabs 9' upon which designations may be marked. In some cases the tabs may be marked with the letters of the alphabet or combinations thereof. In

other cases a system of numerical or other rear as will be evident in Figure 3 for a' purpose to be hereinafter described and heretofore mentioned.

[The positions of'the successive slots willbe determined by the number of partitions or cards used and the relative number of articles to be filed in each subdivision. The

ratio of space between each pair of adjacent 7 slots will be determined by the considerations of the individual cases, and thedemay rest in corresponding positions on the bottom of the tray to hold the bottoms of the guide cards in place. The slight inclination of the slots to the rear will serve to hold the guide cards slightly out of vertical, rendering their inspection easy and the filing of the articles rapid.

Guide bars are moved'into position one at a time and partitions or guide cards inserted in slots, after which one of the guide bars is securely fastened to the sorting tray or filing drawer by means of adjustable and movable clamps. The remaining guide bar is then moved into position, guide cards adjusted to correspond, and the bar securely fastened to the sorting tray or filingdrawer in the manner described.

The bars, 10, constructed as above described but of indeterminate length are held in position on the upper edge of the sort in tray or filing drawer, 14, by useof the collar 15. This collar 15 conforms to the shape of thebar which slides in the aperture '16 of the said collar and fits frictionally above the tray in the desired position for holding the guide cards and supporting the articles as they are filed.

It is to be understood that other modifications may be utilized by one skilled in the art and my invention includes all variations within the scope of the appended claims.

What I clai1n is:

1. In combination with a filing tray, a spacing bar for guide cards, means to movably attach the bar to the walls of the tray or. drawer, said bar being slotted on one of its vertical sides to receive and hold, a series of guide cards in spaced relationship.

2. In combination with a filing tray, a spacing bar for guide cards, a collar slidable with'frictional engagement on said bar and tray-engaging means carried by said collar. V r

In witness whereof I have afixed my signature. 7

FRED E. KUNKEL; 

